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Provost Message - April 19, 2017

I recently attended the Academic Council meeting in San Francisco with other provosts from throughout the CSU system. It was good to have an opportunity to discuss some issues and get updates on a wide variety of topics concerning all of the campuses as we approach the end of the 2016-17 academic year.

On a positive note, I am pleased to announce that Long Beach now has the third highest, three-year moving average for total research grants in the CSU system. For the three-year period from 2014-16, the campus averaged $41 million a year in research funding behind only San Diego State ($120 million) and San Jose State ($53 million). What is particularly impressive is how the university has moved up in the rankings over the last couple of years. We were in fourth place during the three-year period from 2013-15, and before that we were in fifth place in 2012-14. I want to extend my thanks and congratulations to the faculty and students who have made this growth possible.

There were several discussions on issues concerning Graduation Initiative (GI) 2025. First and foremost, officials talked about how funds from the student tuition increase should be used exclusively for student success in terms of the GI 2025. Still, in general, the additional funds will provide additional faculty hiring, additional course sections and other GI-related needs. One theme that came forward during GI 2025 discussions was co-curricular implementation, and attendees also touched on the topic of developmental education.

There was a discussion on tenure-track density, which I hope to be able to touch on more in the near future. Those in attendance also talked about how well the CSU was represented in Washington, D.C. recently with system representatives focused on discussions on year-round Pell Grants and protecting DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) students and staff.

Back on campus, the Wellness Week activities seemed to take over the campus last week. Kudos to all of the students, staff and faculty who organized the event. It was really inspirational.

Speaking of inspirational, I also wanted to single out last week’s “Rising Scholars” event, which featured formerly incarcerated individuals who are either successful or succeeding students around campus. These students presented their stories to a packed, standing-room-only auditorium. It was so incredible to hear how these individuals had turned around their lives and how education provided a path for that turnaround for each of them.

At a recent extended cabinet meeting, campus officials discussed the crucial issue of long-term strategic planning for the university. I ask each of you to please look out for ways to contribute you own point of view or thoughts to this very important topic.

In closing, let me touch on a couple of reminders for items whose deadlines are quickly approaching. First, if you haven’t done so already, let me encourage you all to participate in the Faculty Survey of Student Engagement, which will help the university better understand student engagement from your perspective. Faculty should have received a couple of reminders over the last week or so with a final reminder due to be sent on Thursday.

Finally, a reminder for faculty to provide input on how the CSU’s General Education Breadth Requirements can be revised to achieve better clarity, ensure equitable treatment and opportunities for all students, and streamline students’ path to graduation. Contact your academic senators by May 12 so that the campus can get its responses to the Chancellor’s Office by its due date of June 16.

The search committee for the position of Vice Provost for Academic Programs and Dean of Graduate Studies has announced the selection of three finalists, who will be on campus for interviews and open forums beginning Thursday.

The finalists and dates of their campus visits are:

Dr. Rachel NardoDirector of Summer Arts ProgramThe California State University
On Campus: Thursday, April 20, and Friday, April 21
Open Forum: Thursday, April 20, at 2 p.m., USU-205

Dr. Francisca BeerInterim Dean of Graduate Studies and Director of Student ResearchCalifornia State University, San Bernardino
On Campus: Tuesday, May 2, and Wednesday, May 3
Open Forum: Tuesday, May 2, at 2 p.m., BAAC-223

ORSP Spring 2017 Newsletter Available Online

Not Alone @ The Beach Program Looking for
Faculty to Take Part in Series of Focus Groups

Officials with the Not Alone @ The Beach Program are looking for a diverse and representative group of faculty—from every college, representing a range of disciplines and across the employment spectrum (lecturers, tenure-track, tenured)—to participate in a series of focus groups to provide input on issues that will help strengthen the services provided to students who are survivors of sexual assault.

The Not Alone @ The Beach program provides gender violence prevention training to select student leaders as well as a range of survivor-centered services, including a full-time sexual assault victim’s advocate in the Women’s and Gender Equity Center.

Focus groups will be facilitated by Professor Shelley Eriksen, (Departments of Human Development & Sociology) or Harder & Co. Senior Research Associate Giannina Fehler-Cabral and their graduate research assistant. Feedback from participants will then inform future ally trainings designed to prepare faculty to effectively respond to sexual assault survivors. Participation is voluntary, and information obtained from focus groups will be kept confidential.

Faculty members serve as vital links in the support services provided to students. Indeed, as both research and experience confirm, faculty members are often the first in the campus community to recognize signs of distress in students and to have students seek out support. Given the central role that faculty play in the campus support network, program officials would like to hear more from faculty about their experiences, perspectives and needs when it comes to providing support to students who have experienced sexual assault.

10 Students to Compete at CSU's 31st Annual
Statewide Student Research Contest April 28-29

Ten graduate and undergraduate students will represent the university at the 31st annual CSU Statewide Student Research Competition, which will take place April 28-29 at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.

The system-wide competition showcases research conducted by CSU undergraduate and graduate students in the full range of academic programs offered by the CSU. Participants will make oral presentations before juries of professional experts from major corporations, foundations, public agencies, colleges and universities in California.

Following is a list of the participating students (and their faculty mentors) and the categories they will be competing in:

Behavioral and Social Sciences

Sarah Ottone (Christine Scott-Hayward, Criminal Justice)

Matthew Argame (Erlyana Erlyana, Health Care Administration);

Biological and Agricultural Sciences

Michael Carrillo (Bryan Rourke, Biological Sciences);

Business, Economics, and Public Administration

Nicholas Jenkins (Chen Ng, Economics);

Education

Charlotte Haigh (Paul Ratanasiripong, Counseling);

Engineering and Computer Science

Katherine Leyba (I-Hung Khoo, Electrical Engineering);

Health, Nutrition, and Clinical Sciences

Sheena Cruz (Niloofar Bavarian, Health Science)

Hugo Sanchez (Guido Urizar, Psychology);

Humanities and Letters

Vanessa Malabanan (Cory Wright, Philosophy);

Physical and Mathematical Sciences

Anh Nguyen (Thomas Gredig, Physics & Astonomy

The competition is held to promote excellence in undergraduate and graduate scholarly research and creative activity by recognizing outstanding student accomplishments throughout the 23 campuses of the California State University.

Volunteers Needed for Commencement 2017

Staff are invited to take part in the university’s 2017 Commencement Exercises, May 23-26. Your participation is critical to making this day special for our graduates and their families.

Volunteer opportunities include:

Distributing commencement programs

Assisting the VIP Tent and helping guests to the reserved seating areas

Providing directions to guests on campus, including directing guests with special needs to accessible routes

Volunteers are asked to work a minimum of two-hour time periods. If you are interested and have received your supervisor’s approval, contact Marvel Strunk Preese at ext. 5-4546 or via email at marvel.strunkpreese@csulb.edu by Friday, April 28.

Changes in Campus Parking for
2017 Commencement Ceremonies

Commencement 2017 will take place Tuesday, May 23, through Friday, May 26. Over the course of the 11 Commencement ceremonies, the campus will host more than 10,000 graduating students and tens of thousands of their family members and friends. With this many people and vehicles coming and going, campus traffic and parking will certainly be affected.

University Police and Parking Services have determined there will be sufficient parking on campus during Commencement, but at impacted times the available spaces will be in the outer lots and parking structures. Recognizing that the university’s normal routines and activities will be disrupted, every member of the campus community is being asked to plan ahead and consider ways to minimize the impact of traffic volume and parking congestion on campus, especially around the Commencement venue.

Carpooling, biking, taking the bus, and packing a lunch are some ways we can reduce traffic and parking while welcoming guests on these special days.

The following are important changes to parking on campus during the four days of Commencement 2017:

Lot 7 will be designated for accessible parking (ADA placards) with a limited number of employees spaces available;

Lot 7A (26 spaces) will be available for employee parking;

Lot 6 will be designated for overflow accessible parking with a limited number of employee spaces available;

Lot 5 will be designated for essential Commencement vendors and volunteers with a limited number of employee spaces available;

Lots 3, 4, and 9 will be restricted to employee parking;

Lots 8 and 8A will be reserved for high profile guests, including trustees and media. Minimal employee parking will be available on a first-come, first-served basis;

Lot 17 will be open for employee parking, but Commencement guests may park there as well.

Lot 14B will be closed for construction beginning May 15.

The changes to parking in Lots 5, 6, 7 and 14B will shift parking to Lot 17, the outer lots, and the parking structures during Commencement week. See the campus map for lot locations.

Departments and colleges that are hosting their own celebrations and ceremonies during Commencement should take these changes into account when planning their events.

Green Generation Mixer, Sustainable Project
Showcase Set for Thursday at Japanese Garden

The CSULB Sustainability Task Force, Office of Planning and Sustainability, and Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden invite faculty to attend the 6th annual Green Generation Mixer and Sustainability Project Showcase on Thursday, April 20, from 4-7 p.m. at the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden.

The annual Earth Week event brings together students, faculty, staff and Long Beach community leaders for an evening of mingling, live music and food. The centerpiece of the event is the Sustainability Project Showcase, a presentation of sustainability-related student and faculty work that explores a wide variety of innovative topics and solutions.

International Student Association to Celebrate
50 Years at International Dinner Gala on April 28

The CSULB International Student Association and Center for International Education (CIE) invites members of the campus community to celebrate the association’s 50 years at the university on Friday, April 28, at the 50th annual International Dinner Gala.

The interactive evening, which will run from 6-9 p.m. at The Pointe in The Walter Pyramid, will feature cultural performances by students, international cuisine and prizes.

Tickets are $15 ($20 at the door) for faculty and staff and can be purchased online at EventBrite or in person by check or cash at the CIE Office, Brotman Hall, Room 201.

‘Before I Die I Want to…’ Wall
Will be on Campus April 25-27

The CSU Institute for Palliative Care Long Beach, several departments (Health Care Administration, Gerontology, and Nursing), and three community partners (Palliative Care at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, Alzheimer’s Orange County, and St Joseph’s Health) are sponsoring a “Before I die I want to….” wall April 25 (at Beach Circle) April 26 (on Friendship Walk) and April 27 (at Maxson Plaza) from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

National Sustainability Expert to Speak
on ‘Waste Diversion/Recycling’ on May 4

The national manager of sustainability for Staples Business Advantage, Ken Perdue, will speak on campus Thursday, May 4, at 11 a.m. in the Barrett Athletic Administration Building.

Perdue will introduce new and innovative recycling solutions that have been developed to help organizations like CSULB attain their zero waste goals. His emphasis on “Eco Conservation” (Consumption Reduction) through continued conservation and small behavior modifications has allowed organizations to take on the task of “going green” in a realistic, educational and cost-effective way.

Jewels of the Night, Campus’ Biggest Fundraiser for Student-Athletes, Set to Take Place on May 6

Jewels of the Night, the university’s largest single fundraising activity for student-athlete scholarships, will be held Saturday, May 6. Registration is now open.

The annual fundraiser will once again feature food and drinks from more than 20 restaurants and presentations from student-athletes who benefit directly from the event. In addition to the food tasting, hundreds of silent auction items will be available before the fun of the live auction begins, and both always feature fantastic packages.

This year among the items available in the live auction will be an opportunity for two tickets an Anaheim Ducks game (as well as dinner with player Hampus Lindholm) and the chance to bid for two tickets to the 2018 Rose Bowl Game in Pasadena, which will be part of the 2018 College Football Playoffs.

Doors to the event will open at 5 p.m. Last year, the event brought in well over $100,000 in money that went directly towards scholarships for 350 student-athletes.

The Summer Scholarly Writing Institute is scheduled for June 6-8 in the Karl Anatol Center. This event is open to tenure-track and tenured faculty. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Those interested in attending should complete the registration form and submit it prior to May 12. The form can be found here: Summer Scholarly Writing Institute Registration. The event includes access to editors, statistical consultation and dedicated, uninterrupted writing time. A light breakfast and lunch is provided.

Next Message

The next Provost’s Message will be published on Wednesday, May 3. Items for the upcoming message should be submitted by Friday, April 28, to aa-communication@csulb.edu.